Holly is an author, storyteller, and Florida Master Naturalist who loves to share heritage skills taught to her by her grandmothers. Florida has been her family home for generations and preserving that lifestyle for the future is her goal. Holly enjoys coming alongside women to share skills and help them discover their own natural gifts and talents.
By Holly Giles | Handmade , Home , Simple Living
Make your own mosquito spray. Make your own mosquito spray with Florida native plant, Beautyberry. This native plant is often considered a weed and can be recognized on roadsides or woods. This DIY project is great for the whole family to learn. Make your own mosquito spray to use fewer chemical-based sprays when possible. Beautyberry […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Kitchen
Whole Wheat Strawberry Muffins Whole wheat strawberry muffins are a great way to use fresh, frozen or dried strawberries. I love making these in batches to freeze for later use. These strawberry muffins also make great gifts for a last-minute treat to take to a gathering. Many people don’t like using fresh fruit like strawberries […]
Continue readingBy Holly Giles | Kitchen
Chocolate Banana Monkey Muffins Chocolate Banana Monkey Muffins are a staple recipe in my kitchen. Who doesn’t often have bananas that have gone past their eating prime? I like to use bananas and make a few recipes I can put in the freezer for later use. The chocolate adds a unique flavor that isn’t often […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Handmade , Simple Living
Grapevine wreaths are simple for children to work with at any age. Look around in your own backyard, neighborhood park, or patch of woods for the pesky vines. You will be cleaning up and making a beautiful wreath simultaneously. Small wreaths are easier to manage with small children. It is just continuous circles and weaving […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Uncategorized
Mama’s Goulash Easy home cooking is what most busy families are looking for. Mama’s goulash is perfect for any night of the week. My mother made goulash to use up what was left in the kitchen. She refuses to eat it anymore. It reminds her of hard times and an empty pantry. Most people I […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Kitchen
Peach Barbeque Chicken Peach barbeque chicken has become a favorite quick weeknight meal for my family. The crockpot is a lifesaver when I am working during the week. I can throw all the ingredients in before I leave, and dinner is made when I get home. I use frozen chicken thighs or breasts. Depending on […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Uncategorized
Easy Skillet Bread I love a piece of good crusty bread. Skillet bread is very similar to focaccia from an Italian restaurant. Do you remember the Macaroni Grill? I think it was my favorite place just for the bread. Quick weeknight skillet bread is my version of the focaccia at Macaroni Grill. Except, it can […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Kitchen , Simple Living
As an Amazon Affiliate I earn commission on qualifying purchases Canning Sliced Peaches Canning sliced peaches are the perfect taste of summer for me since my days at the barn in Alabama with my grandparents. Those juicy bites of perfection dripping down my face were a delight. Watching my grandmother “put up” peaches weren’t as […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Kitchen , Uncategorized
Peach Cobbler Southern peach cobbler is a nostalgic recipe for me. My grandmother, Meemee, made the best peach cobbler every time. When the peach season came around, I couldn’t wait to go to my grandparent’s house. I knew cobbler would be on the menu over the weekend. I carry on the family tradition of the […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Home , Kitchen
Dry Canning Flour Dry canning flour has been around since my grandmother’s time. I read up on canning flour when I got a 50-pound bag of flour. At the time, flour was hard to come by due to a shortage, and I needed to bake bread for our family because it was not available in […]
Continue reading